Italy’s top film prizes crowned a runaway winner when The Last One for the Road surged through the David di Donatello Awards with eight statuettes.

Francesco Sossai’s sophomore feature arrived at the ceremony with strong momentum after launching in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard, and it converted that festival attention into a major awards-night statement. Reports indicate the film stood well above the rest of the field, turning a quirky, character-driven drama into the defining story of the evening.

At the center of the film sits an unusual trio: two broke men in their 50s, described as small-time crooks, and a shy architecture student they befriend. That setup gives the movie a tone that appears to mix offbeat humor with a more searching human story, a combination that likely helped it connect with voters looking for work that feels both distinctive and grounded.

A Cannes launch gave the film early prestige, but eight David wins turned festival promise into a national triumph.

Key Facts

  • The Last One for the Road won eight David di Donatello Awards.
  • The film is directed by Francesco Sossai and marks his sophomore feature.
  • It first launched from Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section.
  • The story follows two broke 50-somethings and a shy architecture student.

The result also says something broader about the current Italian film landscape. The David di Donatello Awards remain the country’s top film honors, so a sweep on this scale can reshape a movie’s profile far beyond one ceremony. For Sossai, the night strengthens his standing as a director to watch; for the film, it offers a new stamp of authority that could widen its reach with audiences who missed its festival debut.

What comes next matters. Awards momentum often extends a film’s life, boosts international interest, and sharpens attention on the people behind it. If this victory translates into stronger distribution, broader conversation, or fresh opportunities for Sossai, the David sweep may mark not just a successful awards night, but a turning point in how widely The Last One for the Road travels from here.